You’ve picked your perfect outfit, and a killer pair of shoes and a handbag are waiting in the wings. Now all you need are some accessories: namely, a beautiful necklace and a pair of earrings. But how to make sure that these two pieces of jewelry work well together? Use the five tips below to keep things stylishly in sync.
Coordinate Colors
For the most effortless pairings, choose earrings that are a tonal match for your necklace. You could do this by either opting for earrings that are the same or a similar shade as your necklace (or its detailing) or using a color wheel to find a complementary color.
To use the latter method, simply find the shade on the color wheel that is opposite that of the color of your necklace, and this is the one to choose for your earrings. For example, if your necklace incorporates a multitude of red stones, you could select earrings that feature a green gemstone, such as peridot or emerald. This is an excellent way to make each piece of jewelry stand out, as complementary colors tend to set each other off perfectly and make for a bold choice.
Matching Metals
In general, matching your necklace and earrings by the material from which each piece is made is a safe bet in achieving a cohesive look. Whether you go for a simple silver chain with silver stud earrings or a gold pendant necklace featuring red detailing paired with gold and garnet earrings, as long as the base metal is the same, you’re going to have a look that works.
Different metals can also work well with different types of embellishments or additions. For example, a copper necklace is great with a pair of gemstone earrings and will lend your outfit a classical, earthy vibe, while pearl earrings paired with a silver chain looks elegant and understated.
The Personal Touch
A quirky alternative for jewelry matching is to choose pieces that have the same theme or motif, and making this as unique to you as possible is all the better. For example, you might choose a necklace and earrings combination that features your birthstone. Or consider opting for a silver or gold personalized name necklace, like these here, paired with a simple set of earrings in your initial letter. Another idea for theme-matching includes finding designs that reflect your interests or passions – think jewelry that features the images of animals or that has been hand-crafted in a country that you love to visit.
You might have an inherited piece of jewelry that means a lot to you that you’d like to wear or an item that you love that you have trouble matching with anything else. Where this is the case, you could opt for either having a complementary piece custom made for you – if your budget allows for this – or you could have the item adapted. As an example, you could have the stones from one pair of earrings reset into another. As a result, you have a more wearable item that retains its personal significance to you. Speak to a professional jeweler about your options in this regard.
Shape-shifting
You might want to think about shape and scale when you’re deciding which earrings to select to wear alongside your chosen necklace. This is a really effective yet subtle way to give your whole outfit an effortlessly chic appearance.
In terms of shape, if your necklace features a circular hanging pendant, then opting for round earrings is a great idea. Similarly, if your necklace design is made up of lots of interlinked triangles, choose a simple pair of triangular-shaped earrings to tie everything together.
When it comes to scale, try to think in terms of ‘starring’ and supporting’ roles. If you want to wear an oversized pair of embellished hoop earrings that are so large they’re virtually brushing your shoulders….then you might want to tone down your necklace so that it’s not in competition with them. In this case, opt for a simple chain in the same color metal as the earrings, and let it work with, rather than against, them.
Similarly, a large beaded necklace featuring intricate detailing and lots of colors needs a co-star that will support, not upstage it. In this case, choose plain stud earrings that pick out one of the dominant colors of the necklace.
Bring On the Bling
For a special occasion, try uniting these two pieces of jewelry with the power of bling! Choose earrings and a necklace that both feature sparkle, whether the glitter comes from diamonds, cubic zirconia, or a couple of dazzling pieces of costume jewelry; this is a fabulous way to create a statement look.
Boost the brilliance level by choosing pieces that feature a multitude of gems, or keep it subtle by opting for a necklace and pair of earrings that incorporate the odd perfectly placed stone or two.
Strike a Match
The jewelry you choose to wear as part of your outfit can have a huge impact on your overall look. Knowing how to match your necklace with your earrings can not only boost the effectiveness of your whole ensemble but can serve to make each piece look its best, too. Use the tips above to help you find the way of matching that works for you and, most importantly, have fun experimenting while you’re searching for it!
You can also use your smartphone to take beautiful jewelry photos that will help you make the perfect choice.